The more homes I see, the more interested I become with the story behind the small details. A living room is a place to gather, and socialize. Not only do we have several options for the style of coffee table we choose, but I am always curious about the elements on display.

As you gather the perfect accessories and furniture to suit your home, how much do your "needs" take a role in what you purchase? Seeing an array of various coffee tables, I've concluded they are there equally for form and function. Traditionally a coffee table should be used for guests, serving beverages and hors d'oeuvres. However, more often, people either use them like a museum display case or place to throw their day to day necessities. Coffee table books, a vase of flowers, the daily mail, travel souvenirs, your keys and cell phone - somehow these tables always end up as a catch-all for everything.

Here are ten homes with coffee tables possessing interesting table top accessories. My question is: What do you put on your coffee table? Is it a catchall for every day items or is it a display for valuables?